Part 1, Chapter 4 Summary

Prior to Elaine's incarceration, Nelson A. Rockefeller fought to pass a law for life sentences for drug pushers. In 1972 William Fine, at Rockefeller's request, went to Japan to find out why they had minimal drug problems. Fine returned telling Rockefeller that Japan had lifetime incarcerations for drug crimes. In 1973, as Governor of New York, Rockefeller wanted to introduce such a law in New York. In the 1960's Rockefeller had established the Narcotic Addiction Control Commission (NACC) which failed. He viewed life sentences for drug pushers as a way to redeem himself from the failure of the NACC. Rockefeller didn't ask for his staff's input, just insisted on their support. The "Rockefeller drug laws" were signed on May 8, 1973 mandating a minimum sentence of fifteen years to life for the highest-level felonies. Elaine was 15 years old at the time.

Part 1, Chapter 4 Analysis

This...